Folks all over the globe take pleasure in drinking wu long tea, which is also known as wu-long, wulong or oolong tea, for its distinctive flavour and natural health benefits. There are numerous varieties of this aromatic beverage, each one with a slightly different flavor, color and fragrance. Amongst the better-known varieties are Formosa, Tie Guan Yin, Shui Xian and Da Hong Poa.

For centuries, the major tea producing countries have been China, Japan and India, which have all long been known as the source of most tea products. In the last two hundred years or so Taiwan and Ceylon have joined the major tea producer list with Africa and even the U.S now growing the evergreen from which tea leaves come, albeit on a smaller scale.

Since you have spent time and money finding the best product you can lay your hands on, it stands to reason that you should prepare that fine cup of tea in just the right way. Since few of us have the time for the full five-hour ritual of a Japanese tea ceremony, here are some tips to brew the perfect cup of tea but in a little less time.

Decaf tea is a great addition to the tea caddy, especially at those times when you do not necessarily want a pick me up, but just a great tasting cup of tea. In fact, having tea often means the very opposite - taking a few minutes to relax, clear your mind and let the cares of the day flow away. A cup of decaffeinated tea can fit the bill very nicely.

Cornucopia or the horn of plenty is a symbol of abundance and affluence, dating back to the fifth century BC. In modern dialect, a great many very good things, and judging by the number of diverse flavored teas that are available today, that is a very precise description. Although counting them could be difficult, the variety of flavored tea to be found could quite possibly exceed those of coffee. Devoted tea drinkers everywhere are the beneficiaries of that wide array of choices.

It is often asked if tea can prevent cancer but the short answer to that question is unfortunately in the negative. However, many studies give weight to the belief that it certainly helps. Lung, prostate, breast, bladder and other cancers have all been the subject of intense research over the past fifty or so years. Compounds commonly found in tea have favorably influenced many if not all of them.